Colombian judge suspended for half-naked Zoom court hearing

A judge has been suspended for appearing half-naked and smoking in bed during a virtual court hearing.

A Colombian judge notorious for sharing racy photos of herself on social media was handed a three-month suspension this week for appearing half-naked and smoking in bed during a virtual court hearing.

The Judicial Disciplinary Commission in Norte de Santander ruled on Tuesday that Judge Vivian Polania violated multiple administrative regulations, reported the Spanish-language news outlet Infobae.

Polania, 34, made national headlines last week when she appeared on a Zoom call lounging in what looked to be her underwear and puffing on a cigarette during a court hearing related to a car bombing targeting an army brigade that took place in the city of Cúcuta in June 2021, the New York Post reports.

The video of the scantily-clad judge quickly went viral and prompted the disciplinary committee to launch an investigation into Polonia’s NSFW display.

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Judge Vivian Polonia was seen on the Zoom call lounging in what looked to be her underwear and puffing on a cigarette. Picture: Supplied

A judicial disciplinary committee described Polonia in its ruling as looking ‘dishevelled with sleepy eyes’ and slurring her words. Picture: Supplied

Polonia was presiding over a case involving a car bombing that took place in 2021. Picture: Supplied

According to the panel’s 16-page ruling, Polonia kept her camera off for nearly an hour before turning it on, revealing that she was lying in bed in a “deplorable” state, looking “dishevelled with sleepy eyes,” and slurring her speech.

When a lawyer present at the hearing told the judge that her camera had been turned on, Polonia quickly switched the device off.

The committee stated the decision to place Polonia on unpaid leave through February was made after it was determined that she was not fit to perform her duties because she did not respect the parties at the hearing and failed to comply with the judicial dress code.

“Such a situation is not consistent with the care, respect and circumspection with which a judge of the republic must administer justice, denoting a clear lack of respect from the official,” the ruling read.

Polonia was previously investigated for posting racy photos of herself in skimpy underwear on social media. Picture: Instagram/vivianpolaniaf3

Polonia broke her silence in the wake of the scandal sparked by the video, denying that she was half-naked and claiming that she had to lie down during the hearing because she suffered an anxiety attack and had low blood pressure.

Speaking to Blu Radio, Polonia said that was extremely overworked, resulting in her mental health struggles. She also claimed that she has long been bullied by her fellow judges in Cúcuta and threatened with disciplinary actions because of the way she dresses.

Polonia was previously investigated for sharing risqué snaps of herself in BDSM-style outfits and skimpy lingerie displaying her 37 tattoos on her Instagram page, where she had more than 30,000 followers until the account was deactivated this week.

The tattooed CrossFit fan complained that she has been bullied by fellow judges because of her way she looks and dresses. Picture: Instagram/vivianpolaniaf3

Polonia defended her conduct during the Zoom hearing, claiming that she suffered an anxiety attack. Picture: Instagram/vivianpolaniaf3

In an interview with the Colombian outlet Semana, the judge said when she first arrived in Cúcuta, she could not bear to wear pants because of the searing heat, so she opted to wear shorts and T-shirts, but she said it made some people around her uncomfortable.

At the same time she discovered CrossFit, and practising the intense fitness regiment changed the shape of her body, so Polonia switched to wearing “long, elegant” dresses to work at the Palace of Justice.

But Polonia said her new sartorial choices were likewise criticised for being too sexy, and she was urged to cover up with a judicial robe.

“I got tired of pleasing people over my peace of mind,” the defiant jurist said.

Unbowed by the controversy over the Zoom video, Polonia said she will not change her personality for others.

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission